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Donsol, Sorsogon: Close Encounter with the Whalesharks

Finally! After about a year of dreaming I was able to have a close encounter with the Whalesharks in Donsol, Sorsogon. And yes, it was like I was still dreaming under the sea.

I wish it was me... (Photo: somewhere from Google)

My experience of swimming with the whalesharks of what locals call “butanding” can be summarized in one sentence- “IT WAS 10 SOLID MINUTES OF BLISS.”

There were 3 butanding sightings before I swam the first one. I guess they were shy of surfacing in front of about 50 snorkelers.

I was speechless on the first encounter. For a second, no minutes, I forgot everything, I was bedazzled, amazed, awed, yes add all the synonyms of the adjectives I just typed.

The whaleshark was just swimming gently, softly, undistracted by the flock of tourists swimming above it. It was surreal to be swimming with a shark as big as that. Someone said it was 18 meters long, I don’t know but sure thing it was BIG, as in BIG BIG. After some seconds it went deeper and it was gone just like that. I was of course, “bitin.”

reminders for whaleshark.butanding interaction

I went back to the boat and my heart was really beating fast. Tweeted as fast as I could, “It was surreal! I swam with one.” I was ticking-off one from my bucketlist and was so proud to finally saw one. If there was a trampoline I would have jump again and again, yes, for joy!

After about 30 minutes of spotting and waiting, another one was there. Two boats came first and there were already about 12 swimmers following the gentle giant. Before I jump, I examined the movement of the whale and then off I plunged into the water…

Butanding below. No one holds it like what they do in Oslob, Cebu

This time the butanding is much smaller, about 13 meters long (I know, it’s still big). At first I was above its tail but then I got my swimming mojo and was flipping my fins like a dolphin. I was like a meter close the whaleshark, following its direction and noticing some small fishes on its skin. For 10 solid minutes I was just there, peacefully swimming with the whaleshark. I don’t know how to compare the experience- but you could say that it was like __________ (fill the blank with anything you think is blissful, unbelievable and paradise). Now, I want to kick myself for not bringing an underwater camera.

resting... waiting for another whaleshark interaction

I didn’t mind the horde of people trying to paddle towards the white-dotted great-sized creature. I was just there trying to go with the flow, to follow, observing every detail as long as I can. It’s a plus plus that I can swim and I know how to use my flippers and my snorkeling gear.

Australia, Poland, Sweden and Philippines represent!

my co-snorklers

I can see the humongous gills, the flippers, the big mouth, the beautiful white dots on its skin, the small eyes, its gentleness, its wide tail, the other marine creatures swimming with it, the bubbles of the water from other swimmers. I can feel that my legs are about to retire. I really wonder how come a creature this big is 100% harmless.

For 10 complete minutes i forgot about everything- no worries, no problems, no lovelife, no nothing. I even forgot that I’m doing a 100 Days Challenge. hahaha

with my BIO- Butanding Interaction Officer

It was an experience worth doing again. An experience worth sharing the next generation. An adventure everyone should experience.

For 10 complete minutes i forgot about everything- no worries, no problems, no lovelife, no nothing. I even forgot that I’m doing a 100 Days Challenge.

Why you should not try to hold the butanding/tuki/whaleshark?

Because butandings have this protective covering all over their bodies, like a membrane to protect them from harmful sea species (parasite) that can cling to their bodies the moment the protection was lost.
So when you hold the whaleshark, your hand’s oil will take away that protective membrane. That’s the time where these parasites can easily cling to the shark and start sucking blood.
So you would notice that near the butanding there are lots of small fishes, they are there just waiting for the perfect timing foolish people touch the poor whaleshark.
So if you want your kids and future grandchildren still see the butandings, dont attempt to touch them.

Tips for those who want to experience the whalesharks:

1. Practice your swimming skills. It’s a plus if you are a strong swimmer as there are lots of time you have to swim towards the whaleshark.

2. Learn to use your snorkeling gear and learn the art of flipping.

3. Observe the movement of the whaleshark before plunging to the sea. Listen to your BIO.

4. Bring your underwater camera. Kicks myself again!

5. Bring lots of water (and food too). It’s tiring and hot out there.

6. Be patient. It will come out.

7. If its possible, do this on a weekday. Invite your friends to join you on a trip, 6 people share for one boat.

Best Season to go there? Last week of February till 1st week of June.

Note: For those traveling solo, make arrangements with the Tourism Office (just beside Dancalan Beach Resort) and ask them to connect you to a group of 5. It will save you a lot unless you don’t mind paying Php3500.

Wow dude…
I just saw the shadow of it and that was during scuba diving…
Guess there were too many boats when I went there…
Also a tips to provide, take the earliest boat. I heard the chances of seeing them is higher.
I took the last boat… Learnt a lesson here…

Lucky you! I tried my chance in seeing these gentle giants last Sunday to no avail. I think only one butanding showed up and everybody dove in the water. They swim pretty fast and we weren’t able to catch a glimpse of it. I’ll try my luck next time. Thanks for sharing your story, parang na-feel ko na rin. 🙂

Share Encounter:
Me and my wife booked whale shark sight seeing thru http://www.bicolaventura.com/contact-us/.. we were told the cost of the tour would be 1100 php per person for the entire tour since we would not require transportation to Donsol since we had our own car. On arrival we were told that since we were only two people we would need to put a deposit down for the entire capacity of the which is six tourist. Our tour guide told us that this would reserve us a spot that day since the government limits how many boats and people go out in one days time. The guide said that 6000 php would reserve us a boat and once other tourist arrived and we had four other tourist to join us we would recieve all but our 2200 php back. We were eventually joined by four other tourist and set out to see the whale shark. Upon returning to land and finding our tour guide to recieve our deposit back ee were only given 2600 php. When we asked for the rest we were told that was all there was. We then showed the TXT message we had recieved from the number on the website to the tour guide that stated 1100 php per person, he called his agent who told us that the 1100 php did not include the rental of the snorkel equipment and the enviromental fee and tourist fee. My wife explained to the lady on the phone that this was notbwhat we were told at which point the lady replied to my wife “tuff shit you did not understand” and hung up the phone. In short not only were we not given the rest of our money, now I alsohad to deal with a very angry wife on Valentines day. Best advice never use this agency and do not let any agency talk you into giving a deposit just wait till there is a group of six people. Also be forwarned that it is not guaranted you will see a whale shark, your tour will last for a maximium of 3 hous and there is no refund or raincheck.

Oslob has changed. it’s not as chaotic before and the locals are very vigilant when it comes to protecting the whalesharks. bantay-dagats, volunteers are there to look after them too. situation is not as “cruel” as everyone thinks.

Butanding Tourism in Donsol started year 1997, its a slow but good for for the economy of our town Donsol. When i am swimming with these amazing giants, its truly mesmerizing and an unforgettable experience. Probably a lifetime experience that we are going to share with our guests as long as we can keep our most precious resource.
Be guided with the following info when visiting our town.
1. ATM Service is not that reliable.
2. Donsolanos are good in English.
3. Public and private transportation is available anytime.
4. Hotels are good enough to accommodate guests.
5. Honestly speaking, our waters are not that good for swimming especially near the houses in Dancalan.
6. Donsolanos are friendly, but a tourist must respect its uniqueness.
Responsible eco-tourism is a must to keep our Butanding..
Good luck to our guests. The whalesharks are in the wild, we don’t have to expect 100% chance to see and swim with it. That makes the chase more exciting.